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 Posted: Fri Jun 09, 2006 9:25 am
Aruna trotted into a clear field, where she noticed many different markings of Soquili hoofprints. Obviously, a place where many of her kind gathered. She assumed it was either a herd, or a grouping of friends together chatting and/or playing. Not really feelin anything in particular, her thoughts took a turn to how and why she was named "Aruna", meaning dawn. She knew that Miakoda, her bonded human, had named her while she was still in a basket, but she also knew her father loved the morning. Was that the reason? Maybe she should ask. Hmmm, this alone time felt nice. She hadn't had much "alone" time in a while.
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Posted: Fri Jun 09, 2006 9:27 am
A calm day was a good day, as far as Kael was concerned, so he didn't find himself with much to be concerned about on this one. It had been average, with a somewhat absent-minded morning jog, a snack, and some idle wandering, bringing him to what he was doing then - running through the thickets. The stallion's powerful stride was not one of urgency, but a purpose of a different kind. His enjoyment was clear; it radiated off his contently determined expression, and the way he carried his flagging tail.
It felt like he could have gone on that way forever... And perhaps he could have, if not for stubborn physical limitations. Energy draining with each extended stride, the mustang finally consented to slow when the brush gave way to shorter, waving grasses. He snorted heavily as his pace pulled to a close, and when his hooves came to rest at a stop, shook out a gradiant mane (as unruly as his father's) at last. Bright blue eyes took in the field about him as he cast his gaze around, looking for nothing in particular until they finally settled on a figure in the distance. Kael twitched an ear at it, and scented the wind once or twice, but he stayed a greeting to catch his breath.
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Posted: Fri Jun 09, 2006 9:47 am
She walked around a bit more, feeling calm and decidedly emotionless, for there wasn't really a particular emotion that had a name for what she was currently feeling. Her ears flicked back and forth, thoughts bouncing here and there in her mind as she shifted from subject to subject.
Okay, that was fine, but now, she was bored. She could use a little company now (one or two other Soquili were fine by her; after all, she only liked her alone time when she wasn't feeling up to dealing with others) and she needed to do something.
A random thought entered her head, and slowly, softly, but surely, she began to sing. It wasn't particularly a good song, but it had been something she had made up when she was helping a particularly close friend in need. And so, she sung, quietly, about the dawn, about friends, about family, and the night, about anything, really, but she sang.
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Posted: Tue Jun 13, 2006 7:49 am
It surprised him when the figure continued on as it had been, leaving him unnoticed and free to catch his breath. It surprised him even more when something sounding decidedly like singing met his tender ears. That was a song, wasn't it? At this distance he couldn't be certain, and there was only one way to solve that problem.
The robust stallion pushed himself into motion again, his quick strides drawing him nearer to the other. Once he hit comfortable earshot, he slowed again, stopping almost soundlessly. Rather than interrupting though, he listened, and waited for her to finish... or stop, he thought more likely.
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Posted: Tue Jun 13, 2006 8:00 am
She stopped singing abruptly as a random thought entered her mind. She was thinking back to how her "family" had gotten so big. Hania had told her that most of the first few Soquili he met he considered family--especially the three Soquili named Loki, a white-gray stallion, Alona, a light brown mare, and Mahiri, her fox-colored mother. That meant she had already met Cynara...
...And Hania had met Moki, her other cousin whom she had yet to meet. Cynara had another sister, but she hadn't met her yet, either. Aruna had to laugh, however; she had such a big family. Hania knew so many; how he ever managed to ring in so many Soquili together and make them all family (well, at least in his mind) was beyond her. Oh well. She closed her eyes, suddenly feeling the beginnings of boredom.
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Posted: Tue Jun 13, 2006 8:31 am
He had been expecting the sudden silence, but the Soquili's continued obviousness was another story entirely. It was fortunate he hadn't any ill intentions; a predator would have seen an opportune moment. It was curious though... How could she (as he'd realized it was indeed a mare) not notice? He was right there. Whatever she was thinking about must have been involving.
"Excuse me." The stallion's tone was kind, much like his father's, and he lowered his head in a polite bow. "I'm sorry if I'm intruding. My name's Kael. Might I ask who this enchanting song has lead me to?" He observed her with a genuine, albeit soft smile, and gave his curled tail an idle flick.
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Posted: Tue Jun 13, 2006 9:09 am
Aruna flinched with surprise as a soft male voice spoke, and she blinked, as if she just now realized she was still in reality. Turned, she tilted her head slightly, then flushed at his words. "Oh... I'm sorry, I guess I was so deep in thought I didn't notice you," she said, hoping he got her silent apology.
"A pleasure to meet you, Kael," she continued, "I'm Aruna." The only thing she held similar to her father was probably a small part of her personality. "You're not intruding, but you did surprise me." She offered him her usual half-smile, the expression usually in reserve for those she newly met. Kael looked oddly familiar, but she was sure had never met him before. Oh well.
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Posted: Tue Jun 13, 2006 9:35 am
Her surprise was more standard. Though he had hoped not to startle her, he had half known he would, and it was easy to overlook. "No need to apologize, there's no shame in that. I only wish I had something so engrossing to think about." It was plain to see he went unoffended.
"Pleasure's mine, Aruna." And he paused briefly, an apology washing over his features in addition to his words. "I'm sorry for that though. I'm not sure if the feeling is mutual, but I could use some company. Besides," he said, a new grin stretching his maw. "Your song deserved compliment, and I couldn't leave without at least doing that."
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Posted: Tue Jun 13, 2006 9:45 am
"Ah," She made a sound, "Well, thank you for the compliment." She shifted uneasily. This stallion reminded her of someone, and it was annoying her to no end. "Kael, who is your father? For some reason, I feel as if I should know you."
She had this same feeling with Cynara and Jazz, too. Strange. Was Kael a part of her "family"? Could be. Or maybe not. He reminded her strongly (if a little) of father, but only slightly with his coloring. "And you don't have to apologize, either." She chuckled dryly.
She herself had noticed that she was apologizing a lot more than she usually would have, but that was all right. "My father's name is Hania. Does that ring a bell anywhere?" She returned to the topic of the fathers, since she had asked him about his earlier.
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Posted: Tue Jun 13, 2006 10:02 am
To say he was not expecting the topic of family to come up would have been an understatement. That it was entirely random was more appropriate, and for a moment he regarded her with a raised brow. "Loki," he said at last, a proud smile overtaking the faint confusion. "And my mother's name is Isilme." He was very fond of them both; mentioning just one felt awkward in his mind.
Perhaps that was why he so strongly resembled them both. Kael was a 'when I grow up, I want to be just like you!' foal through and through. It reflected in his mannerisms as much as his appearence. "Well, then I'm sorry for that too." The jest was something Loki might have said, but it suited him too.
The stallion shuffled his weight then, leaning from one hoof to another. His pinto coat rippled as muscles shifted beneath it with the movement. "Should it? I'm afraid it's not a name I recognize." Surely that wasn't some brand of trick question, though it did puzzle him. He wasn't aware Loki rarely spoke of anything outside their home and family; keeping to themselves was all he'd known.
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Posted: Tue Jun 13, 2006 10:17 am
"Ah, so 'tis true," she murmured, more to herself than to Kael. "Nevermind. But that's nice." She smiled, seeing that he was proud of his parents. She loved her own parents dearly, as well, but she wasn't a foal who actually had the 'When I grow up, I want to be just like you!' idea. No, she was completely different.
"I'm sorry for the random topic change," she added, a wry smile on her facial features. "It's okay if you don't recognize the name. My own father tells many stories, and I've heard a few about your father, Loki." She couldn't recall much more than that, but that was okay. She should just enjoy talking with Kael.
Pushing the weird feeling she had earlier to the deepest part of her mind, she flicked her tail. The awkwardness of the conversation was something she hadn't meant to do, but that was okay, she guessed. "Do you always seek out company?" she inquired, wondering if he did. She didn't usually do so unless she was feeling particularly wanting of companionship.
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Posted: Tue Jun 13, 2006 10:36 am
Aruna was quickly establishing the idea that she was in fact a little stranger than he had first anticipated, but that was an opinion to remain buried beneath his good nature and earnest intentions. "It's true?" he asked quizzically, honestly confused this time around.
He had no desire to press a different standard though. It might have made him a 'daddy's boy', should someone care to bring it up, but a good role model never hurt anyone, did it? And he rather respected his parents.
"I'm not one to question the flow of conversation," he replied nonchalantly. "Hania, you said?" The stallion seemed to be reconsidering, much like one checking for something he might have overlooked in the shadows. After reevaluation though, he was most certain he'd never heard the name. "Loki must hold him in high regard; he doesn't associate with many he'd call friend." It was a noncommital response, but he doubted she would press.
Kael shrugged idly instead, then shook out his silky mane. "I wouldn't say 'seek', but I do think company is most always welcome." The stallion hadn't encountered much reason to feel otherwise. His limited encounters had always been positive, and though poor moods were scarce, solitude was available when he wanted it.
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Posted: Tue Jun 13, 2006 10:46 am
"You're quite charming, aren't you?" Aruna said dryly, fighting the urge to roll her eyes. Kael was proving to be stranger than her, and yes, she knew she appeared quite strange to him. "Yes, it's true. Your parents like to keep things to themselves, my father says. I doubt he's met Isilme, but that's okay; he knows Loki well enough to know."
Kael was driving her insane with the way he was acting, but she fought hard not to make a remark on that, as he probably would be quite offended. He seemed the kind to really respect his parents, even to the point of clearly acting as they did. However, she could tell he was still different from his creators.
"I myself usually prefer only one or two others for company, but I like solitude from time to time," she commented. "And your father was the very first stallion my father ever met. Loki's in high regards with my father, even though they haven't seen each other in a while." She shifted from hoof to hoof. Damn, this conversation was a bit dull.
She needed to think of something interesting. But what? She mentally frowned in displeasure at the lull in the air. It nearly made her yawn. Nearly.
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Posted: Tue Jun 13, 2006 11:39 am
"I think 'annoying' is the word you're looking for." Her tone was anything but pleased; the voice of one who honestly thought him an interesting (or 'charming' as she put it) character. He seemed rather undisturbed though; almost pleased to aid. And though it might have sounded dim, his knowing expression told otherwise.
It did disappoint him he was wrong on the following note... He had wished she wouldn't have pressed. It didn't bother him as much as one might have expected though. He didn't need to know his father's every acquaintance; it struck him more as practicality than secrecy. It wasn't his place to speculate why Hania shared such things, but he didn't envy it. "Hania feels quite differently, I take it."
He may not have told her he'd gladly follow in someone else's footsteps if it meant he wasn't arrogant or irritable, had he known what she was thinking, but it certainly would have entered his mind. Fortunately (for both of them), he didn't; it was far easier to swallow unproven negativity.
Part of him wanted to ask if the reference to 'one or two' was actual individuals, rather than numbers... But that part was buried somewhere in the back of his mind, and he didn't voice it. "I expect everyone likes solitude from time to time." It was natural, as far as he was concerned. "I'm sure he'd be glad to hear that. He might even go find Hania some time."
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Posted: Tue Jun 13, 2006 5:18 pm
"Is it? Well, I wouldn't say that," Aruna said, though she secretly agreed. She was raised to be polite, yes, but she didn't have to be all the time. If she felt bad for someone (never pitied. She knew no one like to be pitied.), she was more kind and polite, even comforting. She didn't want anyone to confide in her unless they felt ready to, and even then, she had no business in it, unless she was curious.
"Yes." She smiled wryly at the thought of her father. "He's very different. Quite talkitive, but I suppose that's the way he is. He's very spirited." She winked at him, finally relaxing into the comfortable lull of the conversation. "Yes, all of us do, but my father absolutely hates it." She frowned, but she understood why her father hated being alone. "Well, anyway, with a change of topic, is there a mare out there that has caught your eye?"
She hid a grin. She had to tease Kael, mostly because he seemed to be unfazable, like nothing could touch him or his feelings. He was emotionless. She could hide her emotions behind an indifferent expression, but she had emotions just like any other. She was sure Kael did too, but he seemed to like to hide it a little. That was okay, because she was hoping to catch him off guard with her earlier question.
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